Adventures of Superman (TV Series) Test of a Warrior (1955) User Reviews

You Can Call Him 'Chief'

[ccthemovieman-1 · 7/10 · 20 July 2006]

This wasn't quite as entertaining as the first five episodes of season three but it wasn't bad, either. I picked up about 10 minutes into the 25-minute show once Jimmy and Lois visited the Indian camp where "Red Hawk" and his Indian tribe were holding their big test to see if Red Hawk's elderly father could pass and thus become the new chief. The son knew the test would kill his dad and enlisted the help of the Daily Planet crew hoping to have "The Great White Bird" (Superman) help his father.

Well, obviously that's what happens as the old man "Great Horse" faces impossible tasks that are, indeed, life-threatening. What happens, I will let you watch.

Comic moments are once again provided mainly by Jack Larson as Jimmy Olsen, whose first words after reaching camp are, "This is the life - Indians!" Later he tries to stall the ceremony by getting permission to go through the test first before the old man. Before he starts, he smokes the pipe, gags and is given his new Indian name: "Sogoal," meaning "Big Cough."

These episodes, even the weaker ones, are priceless. And - oh, yes, all the Native Americans in the show were about as "Indian" as I am.

There was a funny ending to this. White is awarded a headdress, puts it on, and Olsen yells, "Chief!" White, responds, "Don't call me......whoops, okay, it's all right this time, James."

In Super Recognition of Our Elders & their Wisdom

[redryan64 · 6/10 · 5 November 2014]

INASMUCH AS THE Series would give us a sort of homage to the Cowboy and the Old West, with THE BULLY OF DRY GULCH, it is only fitting that one episode should likewise feature a theme that centers on the American Indian. They did so with this TEST OF A WARRIOR.

WHILE THE STORY features the troubles of an elderly Chief of a fictional Indian tribe, the story has a universal appeal and touches all, regardless of our ethnicity, creed or color.

IN THE STORY, a representative of the tribe (George J. Lewis) comes to the Daily Planet Editorial Offices seeking help for help from Clark Kent. Having heard that Kent has been able to contact Superman, he implores the reporter to do some communicating and enlist the Man of Steel's aid in helping the elderly Chief executive of the tribe (Ralph Moody).

CUTTING TO THE chase, Superman does go out to the reservation and "helps" the Old man to: survive the running of a gauntlet of tomahawks, a wrestling match with a bear (Lane Chandler) and even in bringing the much sought after precipitation (that's "rain" to you, Schultz!).

IF THERE WERE to be any real criticism of this episode, it would be that the settings of the Reservation were very much that of the 19th Century existence on the Great Plains or some wilderness. But, we cannot allow ourselves to be so influenced by this Political Correctness. After all, this is only an episode of a TV series.

ON THE SERIOUS side and what may be missed by many a viewer is that the story advocates the respectful treatment of the Elders of any society and condemns the intolerance of any unruly youthful know-it-all upstart punks.

They Did Actually Cheat

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 7 February 2015]

An Indian tribe is about to pick a new chief. The man who really deserves to lead is getting old and the requirements for this position are incredibly demanding physically. The son of this man, an educated, articulate young man, comes to the Daily Planet, requesting the "The Great White Bird" (Superman) assist his father in securing a position as chief. He knows the old man will not survive the test. He also knows that the medicine man fears losing power and begins to stack the deck. He also moves the test up, so there is little chance of interference. Jimmy Olsen, who has already loaded the story up with offensive stereotypical comments, in order to stall, volunteers to perform the tests of chiefdom. The key element is that Superman must act without being seen. I really am a bit torn because by bringing in our hero, it gave a really unfair advantage, even if it was for the common good. There was also the factor that the Indians seem to fall for silly tricks when they are living in a contemporary society where one of them has gone off to college (pretending that a series of flashbulbs are the force of lightning).

OK, this is how Hollywood portrayed Native Americans

[MiketheWhistle · 8/10 · 11 May 2019]

I'm generally forgiving for stereotyping in Hollywood in the 50s give or take a decade. In this case though I find this particular ep to be rather negative of Native Americans albeit none of the Native American actors are really Native American so I guess it's a stereotype of those portrayed Native Americans. I still rate it high though only because, well, it's Superman.